Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just wondering, seems it would be an interesting job, and I guess it could pay fairly well... I am still young enough to decide on my path in life I guess

Any info would be appreciated on your setup/racks/how many geckos and herps you breed

I dont breed myself, but i did read a post in the forums, and the post stated that breeders would be lucky to break even with the expenses that are needed to be covered. Just because your selling leos doesnt mean that people will buy them, people are cautious about who they purchase they're herps from. I dont have experience with this, but i wouldnt suggest it.

I do not breed for a living..... I have a regular job..... I breed for the fun of it...... I sell the babies I produce for lower than average prices mostly to friends and family and a few regular customers......I am lucky if I make an extra 10,000 dollars a year...... I do have some top quality stuff that I will be selling for the normal prices so I do not piss off any other breeders.....LOL.......

Oh geez, only $10,000! Why bother?
I know you can't live on it, but it would be awfully nice!
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch

LOL, Thats why I said I was LUCKY if I made 10 grand......Last year I only pulled 6 grand and the year befor that was 7.... I make more money on leos than I do my other stuff..... I sell pairs of third generation gaboons for only 100 bucks and puff adders go for 20 bucks each..... You cant make a great living breeding reps but you can have fun and make a few bucks off of a hobby you love to do..... I dont count feeding expences because I would be spending that on them anyway, if I sold them or not.....

I am a full-time Leopard Gecko breeder, but it is certainly NOT the kind of living that pays the bills! LOL! You would have to be of the caliber and volume of someone like Ron Tremper before you could make a living at breeding leos. The vast majority of us do it for the love of the animals, and are lucky to break even sometimes!
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Marcia McGuiness
Golden Gate Geckos
www.goldengategeckos.com

I agree with pretty much everything that's already been said, and I'll add my opinion. I researched the possibility of making this a business a few years ago and came up with these random ideas.

Most people don't/can't make a living at it. You most likely couldn't do it with leopard geckos alone; the market is pretty saturated. You'll need a little (a lot, actually) luck to make a large amount like Ron Tremper probably did back in 99/00 when he produced and sold only 300 albinos for $1,000-2,000 a piece. I read an article a while ago where he said he breeds 4 species at a time to counter the fickle nature of people - so he's always got a couple species that are popular. It would help if you lived in a warm climate, like Tremper in Texas, or Some of the others who live in Florida or California. That should help keep heating costs down, so profits would be better. If you could breed some high-dollar items, like Ball Pythons are now, you may do pretty well and raise/sell the leos because you like them. Try to do some other things to augment your income, like write a book, sponsor a herp show or sell supplies.

I think the best thing you could do is learn a skill and get a college degree and start a career in another field that you're interested in. Then, once you're secure and have the means to finance your habit(we're all addicts) start feeling out the market to find your niche. Then, if the economy goes down and people would rather spend money to put food on the table than buy more scaley friends, you'll have something to fall back on. I don't have a high paying job, but I will be able to retire when I'm 37, then I'll have steady income that may allow me to pursue my other dreams, which include raising reptiles for profit. On the small scale I have been breeding the past few years, I doubt I've broken even. Most of that is my fault, it wouldn't be too difficult to make a small profit, but probably not enough to live on.
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Rob Jenkins
Have you seen the GeckoCam?
Herptopia Reptiles
Email Me

Yikes, I'm already 35 1/2 and nowhere near retirement (of course, San Francisco is a very expensive place to live). How old are you, anyway Rob? Maybe you should write a book on how to retire early!!!
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Sarah Stettler aka Starling
Sarah@stargecko.com
StarGecko.Com COMING SOON! Star Quality Leopard Geckos
Specializing in Hypotangerine Tremper Albinos

Just join the Army at 17! Of course I'll get another job and start a second career (and a second retirement check), but will get 50% retirement and have some very marketable skills and a college degree. My army retirement should pay the mortgage and then some.
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Rob Jenkins
Have you seen the GeckoCam?
Herptopia Reptiles
Email Me

Glad you're pleased with your life decisions and everything has worked out so well for you, sounds like you have a lot of financial security in your future. I write advertising for a living...your story makes me think you'd be a great testimonial for army recruiters!!!
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Sarah Stettler aka Starling
Sarah@stargecko.com
StarGecko.Com COMING SOON! Star Quality Leopard Geckos
Specializing in Hypotangerine Tremper Albinos

There's a million people like me. I actually work for a Recruiting Bde, but not as a recruiter. I have definitely been fortunate since I've been in and I love what I do. I am a firm believer that everyone would benefit with some military service, barring physical, mental or other issues. It's not for everyone, but everyone can benefit in more ways than one. I've talked with a ton of teachers and many college professors have told me that former soldiers make the best college students. Some of our most successful businessmen and politicians have served. I've found that a lot of what people experience in the service and in life depends on their outlook and what they choose to do with themselves and the situations they find themselves in. The military prepares people for life, in my opinion. I'll stop now since I do sound like a recruiting commercial.

As far as financial security, I guess it won't be bad, but noone gets rich doing this. People who stick around do it for other reasons.

By the way, if you'd have looked into it a year and a half ago, you could've joined. People come in up to 34 yrs old. I don't think 35 1/2 is old, though. I hope I don't feel old until I'm in my 70s or 80s.
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Rob Jenkins
Have you seen the GeckoCam?
Herptopia Reptiles
Email Me

If I ever am forced to join the army, I will die a swift death from either a heart attack, stroke, or astmah attack... Those drill seargents don't exactly seem understanding, and I really don't need to be around someone who acts like my father

>>If I ever am forced to join the army, I will die a swift death from either a heart attack, stroke, or astmah attack... Those drill seargents don't exactly seem understanding, and I really don't need to be around someone who acts like my father
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Rob Jenkins
Have you seen the GeckoCam?
Herptopia Reptiles
Email Me

Even if I had been inclined to join, I don't think I'd have lasted 5 minutes in the military anyway. I don't like being told what to do or having other people have authority over me, it's one reason I work for myself. I am a very independent type and I like being in control of my life, as much as I can at least. I like setting my own hours and my own schedule and being able to make the decisions on what I do and don't work on. Both of my parents also work(ed) for themselves, so the concept and values of self-employment are familiar to me.

I don't plan on feeling old til I'm in my 90's. My mom is newly in her 70's and she works for herself (therapist) has two homes and three offices and recently completed a three year advanced degree (like a PhD). She walks every day, looks about 20 years younger than her age and goes to Europe every year with her boyfreind, who is considerably younger than her. I think I have a good role model for staying young
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Sarah Stettler aka Starling
Sarah@stargecko.com
StarGecko.Com COMING SOON! Star Quality Leopard Geckos
Specializing in Hypotangerine Tremper Albinos

n/p
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Holy Molly Great Gobs Of Geckos
-Aaron-
1.2 rainwater albinos
0.2 hypo tang
1.4 hi yellow
1.3 tremper albinos
0.1 blizzard
0.1 leusistic
1.1 Patternless het albino rainwater
0.2 Tremper Reverse Stripe Tangerine Albino

Just a question? Why mess with the rest when you can have the best. -Great Gobs Of Geckos-
E-mail me at GreatGobsOfGeckos@yahoo.com

It's possible, but the saying is true- it takes money to make money. Investing wisely and not quiting your day job is the key to success. Being flexible and innovative is a necessity. Don't expect to sell every animal you hope to produce at full retail when deciding whether to attempt this or not.

I do this as a side business, and I've been struggling with the possibility of taking it further recently. Its not a short term project, unless you have tens of thousands to invest upfront and can support yourself even if you never see a payoff.
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Well I'll probably inherit a farm, 2 houses, and at least a million dollars in the next 20 years (considering I am the sole benefactor on about 6 peoples life insurance) So I might as well plan for the long run. heh

This is my third year breeding and last year was my first year selling. Last year I figure I offset the cost of most of the food, domain name fees, classified fees and show fees. That's not counting the extra $50 or so a month in electricity, the bedroom used for nothing except leos (a roommate could bring in about $700-$800 a month in SF), and the 3-6 hours a day I spend on care, research, corresponsence, feeding, buying food, cleaning, cost buying enclosures and heating pads, cost of stock, etc...

I work at home (advertising writing) and have two hobby-businesses, jewelry making and leopard gecko breeding. The sales on both hobbies merely offset the cost of the hobby. If it becomes profitable one day, that's fantastic. If I just help defray the cost of my hobby, that's okay too. I don't do either for the money, but when you have an expensive hobby it sure helps to at least pay part of the expense.
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Sarah Stettler aka Starling
Sarah@stargecko.com
StarGecko.Com COMING SOON! Star Quality Leopard Geckos
Specializing in Hypotangerine Tremper Albinos

Everything on this thread is pretty much true... I am disabled, so my Leopard Gecko business supplements my Social Security income. More than that, it gives me a sense of vitality and accomplishment, and fills my otherwise pain-filled days with joy! (I am also a Minister, and that gives me even more joy!)
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Marcia McGuiness
Golden Gate Geckos
www.goldengategeckos.com